Decet Romanum Pontificem

The ensuing bull of excommunication, Decet Romanum Pontificem (“It Pleases the Roman Pontiff”), was published on January 3, 1521. Martin Luther was formally declared a heretic. Ordinarily, those condemned as heretics were apprehended by an authority of the secular government and put to death by burning. In Luther’s case, however,…

…issue a papal bull (Decet Romanum Pontificem) of excommunication on January 3, 1521.